Inauguration

It was a long cold day, but one that was packed with a great many things. I'm not going to belabor the historical significance of the day, I think that's already apparent, but it was interesting being a part of it all.

In the days leading up to the inauguration, I really wanted no part of it, at least in the sense of going to the Mall. That's not to say I didn't appreciate the nature of what was happening, it's just I hate the cold and large, giant crowds so the idea of being outside for 12-plus hours and having to deal with an overcrowded public transportation system, and a huge massive crowd many of which were from elsewhere didn't really appeal to me. I would have preferred watching it on the TV, where at least you'd be guaranteed a good vantage point and apple juice in the fridge.

But, I was slated to go for work. I had press credentials for the event, but it didn't even really matter as there were so many people there getting to the designated entry point proved to be impossible. Even in the wee hours of the morning when I got there. I'm sure I could have fought my way through, but I opted to change course and just focus on other things that were going on. By sheer randomness, and knowing a few key folks as well, I was able to get myself onto the Mall and into a key location about 40 minutes or so before the oath was said.


The energy of the crowd was crazy, even with the temperature hovering somewhere in the 20s. (My co-worker, who is from New Hampshire and swears that 20 degree temps are "just a little chilly" as if all one needs is just a sweater, would laugh at me if she read that.)

Getting back out of the Mall after the event was another story entirely. Imagine 2 million people trying to cram themselves into the subway system at the same time. And half of those people don't know where the stop is located or how to get to it. It was like one of those Volkswagens that seems to fit a never ending supply of clowns in it, only on a colossal scale.




I'm glad that I was there for it. Though being there, for me, wasn't the religious experience it seems to be for some. I'm glad I got to take part in it, even if my role was pretty small compared to the rest of the day.